The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, I respond to the question raised by the Hon. Leader of the Opposition under Standing Order 27(2) on 2025.05.09.

¶ 02 Government’s initiative to eliminate shortage of drugs: We have submitted a Cabinet Paper to obtain approval to import medicines under government-to-government arrangements with India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, coordinated via our embassies. To safeguard patients’ lives where supplies are delayed and suppliers are limited, we are discussing purchasing under this modality, and have submitted a list of items to all missions and those countries.

¶ 03 Given supply chain issues—quality failures leading to withdrawals, failure to deliver on time, 37 items without any registered suppliers, non-participation in tenders—stocks of essential medicines and devices at central and regional levels have become inadequate. Therefore, it is appropriate to establish a G-to-G mechanism for urgent procurement.

¶ 04 While following standard procurement and prioritizing local manufacturers, we adopt this as an alternative to prevent recurrence of shortages and to maintain a buffer stock.

¶ 05 A live information system (“Swastha”) is in place at the Medical Supplies Division to obtain real-time data on medicine needs, updated daily. We continuously monitor shortages at the central MSD and regional levels; a current list is presented.

¶ 06 To strengthen domestic manufacturing, the Government provides buyback guarantees; the State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC) capacity has been increased. Where not practical immediately, we will continue to maximize local production and partnerships, and buyback gives assurance and support.

¶ 07 This G2G process will be overseen by a senior officials’ committee comprising: - Ministry of Finance, Procurement and Economic Development - Ministry of Health and Mass Media - Ministry of Industry and Enterprise Development - Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism - An officer nominated by the Attorney-General’s Department

¶ 08 Quality will be assured by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), and procurement executed by the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC). Only NMRA-registered medicines will be procured.

¶ 09 Regarding Elekta Infinity radiotherapy linear accelerators: Since 2013, under two phases with Elekta Limited, Phase I installed machines at Maharagama Apeksha Hospital, Kandy TH, Karapitiya TH, Tellippalai Base Hospital (Jaffna) and Batticaloa TH. For Phase II—Kurunegala TH, Hambantota DGH, Anuradhapura TH, Badulla TH and Ratnapura TH—progress was delayed due to expert debates on technology.

¶ 10 We have now signed the Phase II agreement. Funds have been allocated in Budget 2025 to construct/upgrade bunkers at Hambantota, Badulla and Ratnapura; these works will be completed within four months, and the three Elekta Infinity linacs will be installed before end-2025. Bunkers at Anuradhapura and Kurunegala are expected to be completed by end-2025, enabling installation by April 2026. NMRA registration for the five Elekta Infinity linacs is underway; pending the time taken, we will issue Work Order Requests so that import aligns with bunker completion.

¶ 11 Relevant detailed lists and Cabinet decisions have been tabled.